Adjustable curtain



oct. 11s, 193s. H, GELLER f 2,617,830

ADJUSTABLE CURTAIN Filed Jan. 12, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Oct. l5, 1935. H. GE ER l2,017,830

ADJUSTABLE GURTAI N Filed Jan. 12, 1955 s sheets-sheet 2 l INVENTOR BY Hqfa fie/la M wf ATTORNEY 0d. 15, 1935.` GELLER ADJUSTABLE CURTAIN :s sheets-sheet s Filed Jan. 12,1935

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 15," 1935 `UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE 2,017,830 ADJUSTABLE CURTAIN y Hugo Geller, New York, N.

Y. assignor to Patchogue-Plymouth Mills Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York- Application January 12, 1935, Serial No. 1,449

in 'my issued Patent 1,971,712, granted August v28, 1934, andthe present application is a continuation in part of my former application, Serial Number 741,614, led August 27, 1934.

Qneobject of this invention is a ready-to-hang adjustable curtain which may be locked to the curtain rod in any selected position. v Another object is a ready-to-hang curtain which may be adjustahly suspended upon the curtain rod at any desired length, adjusted upon the rod to any preferred width and degree of ornamentation, and thereafter locked to the rod ai 151 the selected width to fix and retain the selected ornamental effect.

Other objects will appear from the detailed description which follows: L

According to this invention, the curtain is made *appreciably longer than the corresponding conventional curtain formerly used for any given size window, so that the curtain top constitutes in veffect an extension of the corresponding conventional curtain throughout its width; and a 25 plurality of horizontal rod engaging passageways including rows of eyelets are fashioned in the said curtain top or extension, said passageways which are large enough to allow the-free passage of a conventional curtain rod may be made to simulate 3'0 the appearance of ornamental bands formed in the curtain top, said curtain top or extension being of such dimensions that when one of the rod engaging passageways other than the top one is.

Y used as the line o f suspension for the curtain rod, 325 the surplus fabricv which is not utilized to extend the body portion of the curtain is conserved in the form of an ornamental cuff or valance. The horizontal rows of eyelets are so arranged that at least one of the said rows is not in exact ver- 40` tical alignment with the other row or rowsof eyelets, but on the contrary is at least partially vout of alignment with the other row or rows of` eyelets, so that when the surplus fabric is folded to bring corresponding eyelets in each row into 45 cooperative registry there will be apartial overlapping of the eyelet openings, insufficient to obstruct the passage of the curtain rod but suflicient to` lock the ornamental cuff or valance against slippage along the rod after the operator 50 has secured the curtain upon the rod in the preferred position.- The rod engaging passageways are preferably spaced apart at a distance therebetween generally representingy the amount of shrinkage in laundering, so that when the curtain 55 'is re-hung after laundering it may be lockably suspended from another rod engaging passageway vconstituting a new line of suspension so as to display the same length' of curtain down hanging from the suspension rod as before.

In the drawings comprising three sheets of 5 seven figures numbered Figs. l to 7 inclusive, certain embodiments of the invention are set forth.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of my improved adjustable curtain.

Fig. 2 4is an elevation showing a portion of the 10 curtainl of Fig. 1 in hung position to effect minimum length adjustment.

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing a portion of the curtain of Fig. 1 hung in another Way to effect minimum length adjustment while producing a different ornamental effect in the hung curtain.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of an alternative form of curtain embodying the improvements yshowing only the uppe portion of said curtain, the lower v portion thereof being broken away.`

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing a portion of the 'curtain of Fig. 4 hung to effect intermediate length adjustment.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the upper portion of another modified form of curtain; and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the upper portion of still another modified form. Like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. I

Referring-.to Figs. 1 to 3 the curtain IIl convsists of a body portion I6 extending from the lower end of the curtain indicated by the hem I'I to the upper end of the body portion which terminates in the bottom rodengaging passage- 36 Way formed by the lowermost horizontal row of eyelets I3. Eyelet passageway I3 in eiect approximates the normal line of suspensionfor the curtain. Instead of terminating the curtain and finishing .off its top edge immediately above 40 the rod engaging eyelet passageway I3, the curtain fabric is extended to provide a surplus of fabric constituting an extension or curtain top which may be constructed and utilized to adjust the 'length of the curtain when draped on a 45 longer window or to compensateA for shrinkage of the curtain as in laundering, as hereafter described. Said surplus of fabric may be of any desired' length butin general it has been found that very satisfactory results may be 'obtained 50 when three rod engaging passageways are fabricated, in which case the length of said surplus fabric is preferably such that the vertical distance from the finished edge of the upper extremity of the curtain to the-bottomof the rod engaging eyelet passageway I3 measures approximately nine (9) inches overall.

- The curtain I may be woven on a lace making machine (such as a Nottingham lace curtain machine, Levers machine or the like), in which case the eyelet passageways formed by the rows of eyelets II, I2, and I3 may form a part of the curtain pattern. In the closerxweaves one may prefer to form the eyelets as indicated at I3 10 (Fig. 1) but in other curtains particularly those made from the coarser weaves, the eyelets are preferably woven in a\horizontal band of fine mesh, forming part of the pattern, such as is indicated at Hand I5 of Fig. 1. ,The lace bands I4 and I5 may form anj/ preferred clothing effect to enhanceithe ornamental appearance of the curtain, but in the curtains II) and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 a simple checker pattern clothing effect is shown. It should of course be 20 understood .that the clothing effect shown at I4 and I5 might also be repeated for the row of eyelets I3 and that the simple *net indicated in the body portion I6 might if preferred be replaced by a more elaborate weave.

It should also be understood that a rod engaging hemmed passageway may be substituted for the rod engaging eyelet passageway II, as shown at II3 of Fig. .41 of my application, Serial No.'741,614, led August 27, 1934; or that the 3o curtain top may be folded upon itself so as to effect partial registry of corresponding eyelets I I and I2, which vit will be observed are not in perfect vertical alignment, (see Fig. 5 showing partial registry of.v eyelets 2I and 22 under similar conditions) andthe hem dened by the formed fold may be secured in place by one or more lines of stitches,` passing through both plies of the fabric and traversing the curtain III horizonl tally from side edge to side edge thereof. This 40 construction is more fully shown and described at Figs. 20, 21, and 22 of my co-p'ending application, Serial No. 741,614, led August 27, 1934.

It should of course be understood that if the curtain of Fig. 1 were providedwith a hemmed pas- A5 u sageway as last described, the overall length vof the ready-to-hang curtain `including the extension portion thereof would be reduced approximately three inches, but this could be overcome by extending the curtain top and .forming a fourth rod engaging eyelet passageway in the surplus fabric, havingthe same spacing as rod engaging eyelet passageways II, I2, and I3 (such as is shown in Fig. 20 of my co-pending application, Serial No. 741,614, filed August 27, 1934),

so that after folding and hemming in the manner previously described the nished curtain including the body portion I6 and the surplus fabric top portion would be the same length asy the curtain shown in Fig. 1.

v V-It should be observed that corresponding eyelets formed in the rod engaging eyeletpassageways I I and I3 are vertically aligned, while .the corresponding eyelets in the rod engaging Passageway I f are only partially aligned with the eyelets of rod engaging eyelet passageways II and I3. When the curtain is folded once (Fig. 5) ."to effect Vintermediate length adjustment, or once (Fig. 3), or twice (Fig. 2), to effect minimum 'length adjustment, theeyelets formed in the 7o rod engaging eyelet passageway I2 will register Y with the corresponding eyelets ,formed in the rod engaging eyelet passageways II and-/or I3 sumciently to permit free passage of the curtain or suspension rod I9J through the several (two or more) sets of cooperatively registering eyelets formed in the several folded plies. The curtainl may now be manipulated upon the rod I9 (or 27) until the desired width and degree of ornamentation is obtained. After the curtain is adjusted to the preferred degree of ornamentation, it is 5 released and the fabric in the folded'plies tends to resume its natural alignment, and in so doing and because of their partial disalignment, the corresponding eyelets in the eyelet passageways |2, II and/or I3 tend to grip or become tenl0 sioned upon the curtain or suspension rod I9 (Figs. 2 and 3) or 21 (Fig. 5), thereby locking. the several plies of the formed fold against slippage on the rod to maintain the sinuous pleats in the formed fold in the desired selected posll5 tion. The manner in which the cooperatively registering eyelets tend to become partially disaligned to lock the plies to the curtain or sus pension rod will be better understood by reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 5 of the drawings. 20

It should-be understood that the surplus fabric i of the .curtain of Fig. 1 may be folded twice to effect minimum length adjustment and threaded upon the rod askshown in Fig. 2 to form an ornamental cuif surmounting the hung curtain. The 25 curtain is reversible,n and may be hung to give a straight wall effect in front, with the, cuff in rear, as shown in Fig. 2; or may be turned around to expose the cuff in the front of the curtain (all as more fully described in my co- 30 pending application, Serial No. 741,614, filed August 27, 1934). It should also be understood that by weaving the eyelets of the rod engaging eyelet passageway I3 in an ornamental lace band, similar to the ornamental bands I4 and I5, the 85 curtain I0 will present substantially the same ornamental appearance on both sides when hung in the manner indicated in Fig. 2, instead of a plain effect on one side and an ornamental effect on the other which is produced when the d0 curtain I0 of Fig. 1 is hung as shown in Fig. 2.

The curtain Ill of Fig. 1 may likewise be hung to eiect minimum length adjustment in the man' ner shown in Fig. 3 in which event a short valance like effect is produced. 45

Intermediate length adjustment is accomplished by folding the curtain once instead of twice and threading the cooperatively registered eyelets of the two plies upon the curtain or suspension rod 2'! as shown in Fig. 5. In this case 50 the bottom row of eyelets formed in the bottom rod engaging eyelet passageway 23 (Fig. '4), or I3 (Fig. 1), will be included in and form a part of the body portion 26 of curtain 20 (Fig. 5). 'oriof the body portion I6 of curtain III (Fig. 1). 55 Similarly the rod I9 or 21 may be threaded through the rod engaging eyelet passageway formed by the rowof eyelets II (Fig. 1) or 2I (Fig. 4), to effect maximum length adjustment as shown in Figs. 15 and 16 of my co-pending ap- 00' plication, Serial No. 741,614, filed August 27, 1934.

` In the alternative form of curtain 2II shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the eyelets formed in the middle and bottom rod engaging eyelet passageways 22 65 and 23 are in vertical alignment, while the eyelets formed in the uppermost rod engaging eyelet passageway. 2I are only in partial verticaly alignment with the corresponding eyelets of the rod engaging eyelet passageways 22v and 23. This 70 alternative constiydction will not however eiiect N locking when thecurtain is hung upon the rod I 9 or21 to produce a short valance like effect such as shown in Fig. 3. It should be understood however, that either curtain I0 or curtain 26 75 may be modified by folding the fabric between the two uppermost rod engaging eyelet passageways and then hemmed, and that whenso folded and hemmed the curtain may be threaded through both rows of cooperatively registering (but partially disaligned) eyelets, and when so threaded locked upon th'e-rod I9 or 21, as the case may be, without further folding. Such a construction will function the same as the curtain illustrated in Fig. 5 except that the false hem shown in the construction of Fig. 5 will have been made permanent.

In the curtain constructed as shown in Fig. 6 the eyelets forming the several rod engaging engaging eyelet passageways 3|, 32, 33, and 34,' are arranged in staggered relation relative to each other and at least partially disaligned to effect locking when the curtain is suspended upon the curtain or suspension rod I9 to produce a valance like effect such as is shown in Fig. 3. In this gure the curtain is provided with four rod engaging eyelet passageways but it should be understood that a curtain constructed in this manner may be provided with two or more of said rod engaging eyelet passageways as preferred. In this construction the outside eyelets of each rod engaging eyelet passageway may bc aligned as indicated at 35 (Fig. 6). Instead of staggering all of the 'rows of eyelets (as shown in Fig. 6), alternate rows of eyelets 3I--33 and 32--34, could be arranged in vertical alignment, and rows 3|-33 could be partially disaligned relative to rows 32 and 34.

Fig. 'I shows a further modification having a plurality of rows of eyelets in vertical alignment, and a plurality of other rows of eyelets, positioned in staggered relation relative to the first plurality of rows of eyelets. The first 'and last eyelet in eachrow are preferably disposed (as at 46) relatively close to the side edges of the curtain 40. In the curtain 40 shown in Fig. 7, the rows of eyelets 4I, 43, and 45, are spaced at substantially the same distance as in the curtains shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the rows of eyelets 42 and 44, being woven therebetween to provide for lengthening or shortening by one-half adjustments. It should be understood however that the spacings between each of the several rows of eyelets 4|, 42, 43, 44, and 45 of curtain40, may be the'same as the spacings between the rows of eyelets II, I2, and 30 of curtain I0 (Fig..1), thereby effecting full length adjustments. It should also be understood that eyelets 42 and 44 may be arranged in partial disalignment relative to eyelets 4|, 43, and 45 if preferred.

In some cases only certain eyelets I2 or 2| maybe partially disaligned relative to the eyelets II and I3, or 22 and 23. For example the first, last, and one or more central eyelets of rod engaging eyelet passageways I2 and 2| may be disaligned, and the remaining eyelets aligned relative to eyelets II and I3 or 22 and' 23. In some cases it is found that this arrangement sumciently locks the curtain to the rod.

One or more rows of eyelets may be closed with cross threads as indicated at 41-41 (Fig. 7) which is merely illustrative. This arrangement is sometimes preferred where. the curtains are to be hung with a certain row (or rows) of eyelets exposed, as for example, to effect minimum length adjustment as shown in Fig. 3 in which case the eyelets of rod engaging passageway II would be provided with the cross threads 4I.v When it is desired to usethe closed eyelets, the cross threads are removed as by cutting with scissors,

and the rod engaging passageway is ready -for use. The removal ofthe cross threads does not cause unravelling of the lockstitching, or other reinforcing threads, around the eyelet openings.

The cross threads 41 may be used on any of the 5 a se'lvage or by hemming, or in any other preferred manner, so that the edge band above the curtain rod will always stand erect even when the curtain is suspended from the uppermost eyelet passageway only. The outermost vertical rows of eyelets are positioned relatively close to the side edges of the curtain, which edges are also finished off in any preferred manner as by a 20 selvage or by hemrning. One or both side edges may be finished off with a relatively wide hem similar to bottom hem I1 (Fig. 1). By placing the outermost vertical rows of eyelets relatively close to the side edges, better draping effects are 25 obtained.

What is claimed is:

l. As an article ofmanufactur'e a ready-tohang adjustable curtain having a body portion and a surplus fabric top portion merging with 30 the upper end of the body portion and in extension thereof, a plurality of horizontal rows ofeyelets formed in said top portion constituting rod-engaging eyelet passageways for extending the body portion of the curtain to effect length 35 adjustment thereof, the spacing between said rows measuring generally the shrinkage in said curtain as in washing, corresponding eyelets in two of said rows being partially disaligned, the curtain being freely slidable upon a rod when o threaded thereon from either one of said rodengagingv eyelet passageways separately, the partially disaligned eyelets frictionally engaging the opposite Walls of a rod to lock the curtain against free sliding movement relative thereto whenvthe said eyelet passageways are simultaneously threaded thereon, and a finished edge band at the upper extremity of the curtain.

2. As an article of manufacture a ready-tohang adjustable curtain having a body portion 50 and a surplus fabric top portion operable to extend the body portion to effect length adjustment thereof, the portion of said surplus fabric not so utilized being foldable to form an ornamental top defining either a cuff or a valance dependent upon the surplus available for folding and the manner of folding the same, a horizontal row of eyelets positioned at the line of merger of said body and top portions and constituting a free passageway for a rod whereon the curtain is suspendable to effect minimum length adjustment, a second horizontal row of eyelets formed in said surplus fabric in parallel spaced relation to said first row of eyelets constituting a second free passageway fora rod whereon the curtain M is separately suspendable to extend the body portion, the spacing between said rows of eyelets measuring generally the shrinkage in said curtain in washing, corresponding eyelets in the said rows being partially disaligned to` effect fric- 70 tional engagement y,with opposite faces of a rod to lock the curtain against free sliding movement relative thereto when the top portion is folded midway between said passageways and both rows of eyelets are simultaneously threaded 75 upon a curtain rod, and a finished edge band at the upper extremity of the top portion, the uppermost passageway being in close proximity to said edge band.

3. As an article of manufacture a ready-tohang adjustable curtain having a body portion and a surplus fabric top portion merging with the upper end of the body portion and in extension thereof, three horizontal rows of eyelets formed in said top portion constituting rod-engaging passageways, said top portion .being operable to variouslyv extend the body portion to effect length adjustment thereof, the portion df said fabric not sol utilized being foldable to form an ornamental top dening either a cuil or a valance dependent upon the surplus available for folding,

' the manner of folding, and the number of passageways simultaneously threaded upon the rod, one of said rows of eyelets being positioned at the line of merger of said body and top portions, another adjacent the upper extremity of the top portion,.and a third midway therebetween, the spacing between two of said rows of eyelets measuring generally the shrinkage in said curtain in washing, the eyelets in one of said rows being partially disaligned relative to the corresponding eyelets in the remainingrows to effect frictional engagement with opposite faces of a rod to lock the curtain against free sliding movement relative thereto when the topportion is folded and disaligned rows of eyelets are simultaneously threaded upon a curtain rod.

4. As an article of manufacture a ready-tohang adjustable curtain having a'body portion z and a surplus fabric top portion merging with the upper end of the body portion and in extension thereof, three horizontal rows of eyelets formed in said top portion constituting rod-engaging passageways, said top portion being operable to variously extend the body portion to effect length adustment thereof, the portion of said fabric not so utilized being foldable to form an ornamental top defining either a cui or a valance dependent upon the surplus available for folding, the manner ofifolding, and the number of passageways simultaneously threaded upon the rod, one f said rows of eyelets being positioned at the line-of merger of said body and top portions, another adjacent the upper extremity of the top portion, and a third midway therebetween, the spacings between said rows of eyelets measuring generally the shrinkage in said curtain in washing, the eyelets in one of said rows '5 being partially disaligned' relative to the corresponding eyelets in the remaining rows to effect frictional engagement with opposite faces of a rod to lock the curtain against free sliding movementrelative thereto when theAtop portion is folded and disaligned rows of eyelets are simultaneously threaded upon a curtain rod, and a finished 'edge band at the upper extremity of the top portion, in close proximity to the uppermost row of eyelets.

5. As an article of manufacture, a ready-tohang adjustable curtain having a body portion and a surplus fabric top portion merging with the upper end of the bodyportion and in extension thereof, three horizontal rows of eyelets formed in vsaid top portion constituting rod-engaging passageways, said top portion being operabletb` variously extend the body portion to effect length adjustment thereof, the portion of said fabric i not so utilized being foldable to form an ornamental top defining either a cuff or a valance dependent upon the surplus available for folding, the manner of folding, and the number of 'passageways simultaneously threaded upon the rod, one of said rows of eyelets being positioned at the line of merger of -said body and top portions; another adjacent the upper extremity of the top portion, and a third midway therebetween, the spacings between said rows of eyelets measuring generally the shrinkage in said curtain in washing, the eyelets in one of said rows in'1r partially disalignedv relative to the corresponding-eyelets in the remaining rows to effect Africtional engagement with opposite faces of a rod tolock the curtain against free sliding move- 40 ment relative thereto when the top portion is folded| and disaligned rows of eyelets are simultaneously threaded upon a curtain rod, and cross threads for closing the eyelets of one of said rows, said cross threads being removable as by cutting a to permit threading of a rod therethrough.

HU GO GELLER. 

